Radio transceiver communicating in a plurality of frequency bands

ABSTRACT

A computer apparatus for receiving a removable communication card such as a radio card or a modem card. A radio or modem is self-contained inside a housing of the communication card and has an electrical interface for communicating information to and from the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus receives the communication card such that it engages the electrical interface. These contacts automatically connect the communication card to an appropriate antenna, telephone or telephone line. A radio communication card is connected to the appropriate antenna for the type and frequency of the radio. A modem card is connected to a standard telephone line, a cellular phone, or an antenna for a cellular phone if the cellular phone is also disposed within the housing of the modem communication card. Additionally, a switching matrix can be used to connect one set of contacts on a radio card or a modem card to one or more of a plurality of antennas and telephone lines. A computer device utilizing an antenna cap which covers the opening into which the radio has been inserted is also shown. Antenna contacts are disposed on the cap to engage the antenna contacts positioned on the end of the radio card. At least one antenna is operably connected to the radio card through the cap. A band is used to attach the cap to the housing of the computer device. The antenna or antennas are embedded in the cap, in the band, or embedded in or attached to the housing of the computer device. Positioning two similar antennas in different position creates an antenna diversity scheme. Shielding can be added to the cap to help reduce the escape of electronic noise. A micro shield ribbon can be used to connect the antenna and the antenna contacts on the cap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (CLAIMING BENEFIT UNDER 35U.S.C. 120)

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/226,256 filed Apr. 11, 1994 by Pat Kinney et al. (Attorney Docket No.DN 38000FA) which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/194,178 filed Feb. 9, 1994 by Pat Kinney et al. (AttorneyDocket No. DN 38000F) which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/154,020 filed Nov. 17, 1993 by P. Kinney et al.(Attorney Docket No. DN 38000C) which is in turn a continuation-in-partof: U.S. application Ser. No. 08/107,470 filed Aug. 17, 1993 by P.Kinney and R. Mahany (Attorney Docket No. DN 38000B) which is in turn acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/081,411 filed Jun.22, 1993 by P. Kinney (Attorney Docket No. DN 38000A) which is in turn acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/053,901 filed Apr.27, 1993 by P. Kinney et al. (Attorney Docket No. DN 38000); and U.S.application Ser. No. 08/097,462 filed Jul. 26, 1993 by G. West and R.Mahany (Attorney Docket No. DN 38017).

AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 CFR 1.71 (d)(e)

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright,rights whatsoever.

Related Case

The present case is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/114,872filed Aug. 31, 1993 by S. Koenck (Attorney Docket No. 36767XZAB), nowU.S. Pat. No. ______, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to computer devices utilizingremovable radio frequency communication devices used for transmittingand receiving information and more particularly to an improved apparatusfor connecting an appropriate antenna to the radio frequencycommunication device using an antenna cap, and to an improved method andapparatus for connecting a communication card device such as a radio ormodem to an appropriate antenna or telephone line.

BACKGROUND ART

Many computer devices use modular components to allow increasedflexibility and adaptability to various work environments. This isespecially true in the area of small computing devices such as hand heldcomputer terminals, vehicle mounted computer terminals and small lap-topcomputers. Along these lines, small removable and interchangeable memorycards were developed. The memory cards have now become commonplace andthe PCMCIA memory card standard has become accepted industry wide as theformat to use.

The PCMCIA memory cards are relatively small having a length and widthroughly the size of a credit card. The thickness of these cards is morethan that of a credit card and there are several thicknesses used fordifferent cards. These cards are designed to slide into a receivingportion of some computer device. At one end of the card is an interfacesection which is in essence the female portion of a connector that mateswith the male end in the receiving device. All of this, including thenumber of pins, the layout of the pins, and the pin size for theconnection, are all part of the PCMCIA standard.

The success of the removable and interchangeable PCMCIA memory cards hasled to the development of other types of peripheral devices that use thesame standard. Of particular interest to the present application are thecards that contain radio transceivers and modems. These devices can beinserted into and connected to a receiving device in the same manner asa memory card. However, with these devices there is an additionalconnection which must be made to connect a radio antenna, a telephoneline, a cellular phone, or an antenna for the cellular phone.

Radio frequency communication allows two or more computer terminals tocommunicate without actually being wired together. Many types of radiocommunication exist and many different radio frequencies and frequencyranges can and must be used to accommodate the different types of radiocommunication. For example, a radio that operates by sending theinformation on a single channel in the UHF band differs greatly from aradio that sends its information utilizing spread spectrum frequencybopping in the 2400-2483 MHz range. The antennas necessary to operate inthe different frequency ranges also differ. Similarly, modemcommunication, whether connected by traditional phone lines or bycellular phones, allow computer devices that are not hardwired togetherto exchange information.

Connection of the radio card or modem card to an outside antenna ortelephone line is typically made by either extending the length of thecard beyond the standard card length with the antenna or connectionbuilt into the extended portion or by having an antenna or telephonecable protrude out of the end of the radio card to which the user mayattach an antenna or telephone line. These options have significantlimitation. Both connections severely limit the type of device that canaccommodate the cards. Most devices cannot accommodate the extra lengthwithout some modification and both connections make environmentallysealing the connections difficult. Additionally, both connections aresusceptible to increased damage from dropping or other physical trauma.An external antenna to which the user must couple an antenna isinconvenient and subjects the radio periods of unreliability due to wearof the cable and connection.

An additional problem is converting computer devices that were notdesigned to utilize radio or modem cards, and thus have no built in orattached antenna, into devices that can utilize radio and modem cardswhile still avoiding the various antenna connection problems discussedabove.

Thus, there is a need in a computer terminal for an improved apparatusfor connecting a removable card type radio or modem to an antenna ortelephone line attached to or built within the computer terminal.Additionally, there is a need for an improved computer device apparatusfor connecting a removable card type radio to a protected,interchangeable, environmentally sealed antenna.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer devices utilizingremovable radio frequency communication devices used for transmittingand receiving information and more particularly to an improved apparatusfor connecting an appropriate antenna to the radio frequencycommunication device using an antenna cap, and to an improved method andapparatus for connecting a communication card device such as a radio ormodem to an appropriate antenna or telephone line.

In one embodiment, a removable radio card can be inserted into areceiving device which is part of a computer terminal. The radio cardhas an electrical interface which engages with an interface on thereceiving device. The interface on the receiving device is connected tothe computer terminal and when the interfaces are engaged, communicationbetween the radio card and the computer terminal is possible.Additionally, the receiving device is connected to at least one antennaby means of an antenna cable which has a pair of contacts located on thereceiving device. This pair of receiving device antenna contactsencounter a pair of antenna contacts on the radio card. This connectionallows the radio card to utilize an antenna located on or within thereceiving device. Additionally, the connection of a modem card to atelephone, cellular phone, or antenna for a cellular phone can beaccomplished in substantially the same manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention a radio card or modemcard which is inserted into the computer terminal contains one set ofcontacts which encounter a corresponding set of contacts located on thereceiving device. The receiving device contacts are connected to aswitching matrix which is in turn connected to at least one of radiofrequency antennas, a cellular phone, an antenna for cellular phone, ora jack for connection to a standard telephone line. As part of theregular communication with the radio card or modem card the computerterminal interrogates the radio card or modem card and determines towhich antenna or telephone line the card should be connected.

In still another embodiment of the present invention the radio cardantenna contacts are at the opposite end of the radio card with respectto the electrical interface. In this embodiment, the computer deviceincludes a cap which engages with the opening in the housing throughwhich the radio card was inserted. The cap includes antenna contactspositioned to engage the radio card antenna contacts. The cap isconnected to one end of a band. The other end of the band is connectedto the housing of the computer device. An antenna can be embedded in thecap, embedded in the band or embedded in or on the housing of thecomputer device. Connection of the antenna contacts on the cap and ofthe antenna is accomplished through the cap and utilizes either wireconnections or a micro shield ribbon.

Different radio cards may transmit on different frequencies andtherefore need different antennas. Multiple antennas allow the radiocards to selectively transmit and receive on different antennas basedupon the frequency used for communication. Additionally, two similarantennas disposed in different positions can be used to implement anantenna diversity scheme.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved antennaconnector for use with radio cards which can be inserted into variouscomputer devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedantenna connector which is reliable, economical and easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedantenna connector whereby an appropriate antenna will be connected to aradio card by selectively positioning the antenna contacts on the radiocard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedantenna connector whereby a radio card may simultaneously connect to andutilize more than one radio antenna.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for connecting a modem card to a telephone line, cellulartelephone or antenna for a cellular phone.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus which utilizes only one set of contacts on the radio card ormodem card and uses a switching matrix to connect the radio card ormodem card to the appropriate antenna or telephone line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna cap foruse with computer devices utilizing radio cards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna capwhich is reliable, economical and easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an antenna capwhereby an appropriate antenna will be connected to a radio card byselectively positioning the antenna contacts on the radio card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna capwhereby a radio card may simultaneously connect to and utilize more thanone radio antenna.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an antennacap which provides an antenna for computer devices which do not have abuilt in antenna.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radio card and a corresponding portfor receiving the radio card built in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of a radio card and port for receivingthe radio card with the radio card completely inserted in the port;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view taken along line 3-3 showingthe male/female pin connection of the radio card and the port of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view taken along line 4-4 showing the female pinconnections of the radio card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of computer terminal showing the slot forreceiving the radio card;

FIG. 6 is front view taken along line 6-6 showing how a radio card to beinserted into the slot of the computer terminal of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another radio card and a correspondingport for receiving the radio card built in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of another computer terminal and end cap capableof receiving a radio card;

FIG. 9 is a top view taken along line 9-9 of the computer terminal ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view taken along line 10-10 of the computer terminalof FIG. 8 with the end cap removed;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view taken along line 11-11 of the computerterminal of FIG. 8 with the slot for the radio card shown in dashedlines;

FIG. 12 is a partial top view taken along line 12-12 of the computerterminal of FIG. 11 showing the slot for receiving the radio card andthe antennas;

FIG. 13 is a partial top view of yet another embodiment of a computerterminal built in accordance with the present invention showing the useof a switching matrix;

FIG. 14 is a back view of a computer device and radio card built inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14 ofthe computer device and radio card;

FIG. 16 is a partial top view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 of thecomputer device;

FIG. 17 is a partial side elevational view of another computer devicebuilt in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17 of the computerdevice showing the rubber cap inserted therein;

FIG. 19 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along line 19-19 ofFIG. 18 showing a radio antenna embedded within the rubber cap;

FIG. 20 is a partial vertical section view taken along line 20-20 ofFIG. 19 of the rubber cap;

FIG. 21 is a partial vertical sectional view of another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a partial vertical sectional view of still another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a partial back view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 15 of thecomputer device;

FIG. 24 is a partial back view of still another embodiment built inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken along line 25-25 ofFIG. 24 of the band showing the shielded ribbon used to carry theantenna signals;

FIG. 26 is partial back view of a computer device of yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram of a switching matrix for microprocessorcontrol of antenna selection; and

FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram showing an antenna diversity scheme whichcan be incorporated into the switching matrix circuit of FIG. 27.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1shows a radio card (10) and a receiving device (11) built in accordancewith the present invention. The radio card (10) has a housing (13)inside which is a completely operation radio transceiver (not shown).The receiving device (11) in this embodiment of the present inventionuses a pair of opposed slots (14) to receive and guide the incomingradio card (10).

The radio card (10) has a pair of antenna contacts (15) positioned alongthe edge of the housing (13). The receiving device (11) has acorresponding pair of antenna contacts (16). As can be seen in FIG. 2,when the radio card (10) is fully inserted into the receiving device(11) the antenna contacts (15) on the radio card housing (13)electrically encounter the corresponding set of antenna contacts (16)positioned on the receiving device (11). The antenna contacts (16) onthe receiving device (11) are connected to an antenna cable (18). Theantenna cable (18) is in turn connected to an antenna (not shown). Thus,when the radio card (10) is fully inserted into the receiving device(11) the radio card (10) automatically is connected to an antenna.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a radio card (10) may have antenna contacts(20), shown in dashed lines, located at different positions on thehousing (13). Similarly, the receiving device (11) may have severaladditional pairs of antenna contacts (22). The additional pairs ofantenna contacts (22) on the receiving device (13) can be used to allowaccess to several different antennas depending on the type and frequencyof radio communication to be utilized by the radio card (10). Thisaccess is accomplished through additional antenna cables (23) attachedto the additional contacts (22). Thus, if the receiving device (13) ispart of a hand held computer terminal which has more than one antennaattached or built in, different pairs of contacts (16 & 22) can be usedto allow access by the radio card to the different antennas dependingupon the frequency and range characteristics of each antenna. While aradio card (10) may only operate at one frequency and thereby only needone antenna and therefore only have one pair of antenna contacts, thereceiving device (11) still may have several pairs of antenna contacts(16 & 22) all but one of which do not correspond to any pair of radiocard (10) antenna contacts (15).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the radio card (10) is inserted intothe receiving device (11) an interface between the radio card (10) andthe receiving device (11) is produced. The receiving device (11) has aplurality of pins (30) which form the male portion of a connector. Theradio card (10) has a corresponding plurality of holes (31) which formthe female portion of the connector and which engage the pins (30). Thepins (30) are connected to the computer terminal (not shown) by a seriesof electrical connections (33) such as wires or electrical ribbon. Theholes (31) in the radio card (10) are electrically connected to theradio. When the pins (30) are engaged in the holes (31), electricalsignals can be exchanged between the radio card (10) and the computerterminal. The electrical signals can be in the form of informationexchange, power supply or both.

The radio card (10) of FIGS. 1-4 might also be a modem card (not shown).In this embodiment, the connections would be the same as previouslydescribed with the only difference being that instead of the contactsconnecting the modem card to a radio antenna, the modem card would beconnected to a traditional telephone line, a cellular phone or anantenna for a cellular phone if the cellular phone was contained withinthe modem card. Any necessary coupling transformer may be built withinthe computer terminal.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a computer terminal (40) is shown built inaccordance with the present invention. The computer terminal (40) has aslot (42) for receiving a radio card (44). The user of the computerterminal (40) lifts up a flexible cover (46) and inserts the radio card(44) into the slot (42). The radio card (44) engages with the computerterminal (40) in a similar manner as described in FIGS. 1-4. The radiocard (44) as a pair of antenna contacts (48) which engage with acorresponding pair of contacts inside the computer terminal (40). Thepair of antenna contacts inside the computer terminal are connected to aradio antenna (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the present invention isshown. The radio card (50) has two pairs of antenna contacts (52 & 53)which will encounter respectively two pair of antenna contacts (55 & notshown) on the receiving device (58). This embodiment accommodates aradio card (50) which can operate at two different frequencies whichrequire two different antennas. Standardization of antenna contactposition with antenna type is anticipated and covered by the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 8-12, another embodiment of a computer terminal (60)built in accordance with the present invention is shown. The computerterminal (60) has a removable end cap (62). When the end cap (62) isremoved, a slot (60) is revealed which is used to receive a radio card(66). The slot (64) in the computer terminal (60) has three pairs ofantenna contacts (67, 68 and 69) which are respectively connected tothree different radio antennas (71, 72 and 73). The radio card (66) inthis embodiment only has one pair of antenna contacts (75). Thus, whenthe radio card (66) is inserted into the slot (64), the antenna contacts(75) will match up to the antenna contacts (67) and the radio willutilize the internal antenna (71). The external antenna (73) and theother internal antenna (72) will not be used by this particular radiocard (66).

Referring now to FIG. 13, still another embodiment of a computerterminal (80) built in accordance with the present invention is shown. Acommunication card (85) is inserted into the computer terminal (80). Thecard (85) can either be a radio card or a modem card. The card (85) hasa set or pair of contacts (87) which encounter a set or pair of contacts(88) disposed on the receiving portion of the computer terminal (80).The contacts (88) are electrically connected to a switching matrix (90),thus the radio card or modem card (85) is electrically connected to theswitching matrix (90).

The switching matrix (90) is connected to a plurality of antennas (92,93 and 94) and to a telephone jack (95). The switching matrix (90) isused to electrically and selectively connect the radio or modem card(85) to the appropriate antenna or to a telephone line. The switchingmatrix (90) is controlled by the control microprocessor (98) of thecomputer terminal (80). The control microprocessor interrogates the card(85) to determine what kind of card it is and to determine what antennaor telephone connection it needs. The control microprocessor thensignals the switching matrix (90) which connects the card (85) to theappropriate antenna (92, 93 or 94) or to the phone jack (95).

It should be noted that the design of a switching matrix which is toaccommodate both RF and telephone connections must take into account thedifferent voltage requirements for each type of communication. Forexample, the Sony CXG1002 switch discussed below cannot handle the rangeof voltages necessary for compliance with telephone standards.

Referring now to FIG. 27, a circuit diagram (280) for antenna switchingmatrix is shown. The circuit (280) allows a radio card to be connectedto one of two or more internal or connected antennas of a portablecomputer device. The circuit shown allows antennas (305 and 306) for oneof two frequency bands to be selected. The design can be extended toallow additional bands to be added by appropriate selection of aswitching device.

The illustrated circuit is based upon a Sony CXG1002 GaAs JFET switch(282). Switching is initiated by the control microprocessor (284) withinthe computer device. This microprocessor (284) may be a dedicatedcommunications or control microprocessor, or it may be the mainprocessor that runs local applications.

Upon initial power up of the computer device, the control microprocessor(284) interrogates the radio card via the bus interface (286) toascertain its type and frequency band of operation. PCMCIA standardsinclude provisions for device identification. Based upon the result ofthe interrogation, the microprocessor (284) selects the appropriatelogic levels from a logic level table (290) for application to theControl A line (292) and Control B line (294) to the CXG1002 switch(282) in order to select the proper antenna for the radio card. Forexample, if the computer device is designed to accommodate 900 MHzpaging receivers and 2.4 GHz wireless local area network transceivers,antenna A (288) would be a 900 MHz antenna and antenna B (289) would bea 2.4 GHz antenna.

An optional diversity sense circuit is also shown. This circuit allowsthe radio card to provide a diversity select signal through the RFconnector. The coil (298) is an RF choke, allowing low frequency signalsto pass, but blocking RF signals.

Referring now to FIG. 28, a second circuit (300) illustrating how thediversity select circuit is implemented is shown The B antenna output(301) from the band selector is applied to a second CXG1002 switch(320). Two antennas (305 and 306) appropriate for 2.4 GHz are designedinto the computer device. These antennas (305 and 306) provide eitherspatial or polarization diversity, or a combination of the two.

Selection of the antenna used is controlled by the radio card. Thediversity sense line (308) is used to control the CXG1002 switch (302).The invertor (310) provides buffering and allow a single signal outputfrom the radio card to be used for antenna selection. Alternatively, thediversity sense could be provided to the control microprocessor whichcould then in turn control the selection of antennas.

Selection diversity could be employed in both the A and B antenna pathsif desired with the addition of a CXG1002 switch in the A path. Thisswitch could be controlled by the same circuitry as the B switch,eliminating the need for separate control circuitry for the A path.

Referring again to FIG. 13, in another embodiment, the controlmicroprocessor (92) is located within the radio card (85). In thisconfiguration, the control microprocessor (92) selects the appropriateantenna by controlling the switching matrix (90) via the antennainterface (88). Thus, the control microprocessor (92) either has presetknowledge of the switching matrix and antenna availability, or mayinterrogate the microprocessor within the receiving unit for suchdetail.

In addition, in alternate embodiments, the radio card itself contains anantenna (not shown). In most configurations of this embodiment, if noalternate antenna is found within the receiving device, the radio carduses its own antenna. In such configurations, the radio card uses itsown antenna as a backup, preferring to use of the receiving device'santennas if available. In other configurations, the radio card maychoose the most effective antenna, which may either be its own or thereceiving device's antenna. Such a choice may either be predetermined ormade based on actual use, i.e., based on received signal strengthindications (RSSI) or other signal or communication quality assessments.For example, referring to FIG. 12, a local antenna is housed within theradio card (64). Thus, if the radio card (64) cannot detect receivingdevice antennas, the radio card (64) chooses its own locally containedantenna. Referring to FIG. 13, in another exemplary configuration, theradio card (85) also contains its own internal antenna. The controlmicroprocessor (92) not only chooses from among antennas stored withinthe receiving device, but also considers the antenna stored in the radiocard (85). Note that, in addition to any antennas placed in thereceiving device, the radio card might also be configured with aplurality of antennas.

Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, a computer device (111) forutilizing a radio card (110) built in accordance with the presentinvention is shown. The computer device (111) has a housing (112).Inside the radio card (110) is a completely operation radio transceiver(not shown). The computer device (111) has an opening (114) in thehousing (112) through which the radio card (110) can be inserted intothe computer device (112). In the present embodiment of the invention,the receiving means for the computer device is a slot (115).

When the radio card (110) is inserted into the slot (115) in thecomputer device (111) an interface between the radio card (110) and thecomputer device (111) is produced. The computer device (111) has aplurality of pins (not shown) which form the plug or male portion of aconnector. The radio card (110) has a corresponding plurality of socketsor holes (not shown) which form the receptacle or female portion of theconnector and which engage the pins. The pins are connected internallyand electrically to the computer device (111) by a series of electricalconnections such as wires, printed circuit traces or electrical ribbon.The holes in the radio card (110) are electrically connected to theradio transceiver. When the pins engage the holes, electrical signalscan be exchanged between the radio transceiver inside the radio card(110) and the computer device (111). The electrical signals can be inthe form of information exchange, power supply or both. The radio card(110) includes antenna contacts (117) to engage corresponding radioantenna contacts that are connected to an appropriate antenna.

The computer device (111) includes a cap (120) which is designed tomatingly engage the opening (115) in the housing (112) of the computerdevice (111) and thereby cover the slot (115) used to receive the radiocard (110). A flexible band (122) attaches the cap (122) to the housing(112) of the computer device (111). One end of the band (122) isconnected to the cap (122) while the other end is attached to thehousing (112). A handle (124) helps assist the removal of the cap (120)from the housing (112) of the computer device (111).

The cap (120) is constructed of a closed cell foam material with highair content for low dielectric losses. Alternatively, a qualitydielectric material may be used to reduce the size of the antennastructure. The cap (120) when made of a foam material helps to protectthe radio card from the physical trauma typically associated withcomputer devices of these types. Additionally, as will be discussed infurther detail below, the cap (120) helps to environmentally seal theopening (114) preventing harmful material from the outside such as dustor moisture from reaching the radio card (110) and helps to reduce theescape of electronic noise from the housing (112) created by the radiocard (110) and computer device (111). As will be discussed below, agrounded metal shield covering a portion of the cap (120) is used toreduce the escape of electronic noise.

While the cap (120) helps to seal the opening, protect the radio card(110) and hold the radio card in place, the primary function of the capis to provide the radio card (110) access to an appropriate antenna orantennas. The connection of the radio card (110) to the antenna is madethrough the cap (120). The antenna or antennas can be embedded in thecap (120), embedded in the band (122) or even attached to, mounted on,or embedded in the housing (112) of the computer device (111).

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a computer device (130) built inaccordance with the present invention is shown with a cap (134) engagedin the opening of the housing (132) wherein a radio card can beinserted. A band (136) is attached to both the cap (134) and the housing(132). The band (136) helps prevent the loss of the cap (134) when thecap (134) is not engaged in the housing (132) of the computer device(130).

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, the cap (132) is shown engaged withthe housing (132) of the computer device (130). The cap (134) includesan outwardly extending lip (136) which helps to environmentally seal theopening in the housing (132) preventing harmful material from theoutside such as dust or moisture from reaching the radio card (140)which has been inserted into the computer device (130). When the cap(134) is completely inserted or fully engaged in the housing (132), thelip (135) sealingly engages the housing (132).

Embedded in the cap (134) is an antenna (150). The antenna (150) isconnected to the radio card (140) through contacts (151 and 152)disposed on the cap (134) and contacts (141 and 142) disposed on theradio card (140). Contact (152) is the ground contact for the antenna(150) and is connected to the end of the antenna (150). Contact (142) isthe ground contact for the radio card (140). Contact (151) is the signalcontact and is connected to the antenna (150) a short distance from theend of the antenna (150). Contact (141) is the signal contact for theradio card (140).

Contact (151) and contact (141) are disposed on the cap (134) and theradio card (140), respectively, such that the contacts engage each otherwhen the cap (134) is inserted into or engaged with the housing (132) ofthe computer device (130). Similarly, contact (152) and contact (142)are disposed on the cap (134) and the radio card (140), respectively,such that the contacts engage each other when the cap (134) is insertedinto or engaged with the housing (132) of the computer device (130). Thecontacts shown in the present embodiment are of the metal button typewherein the connection is made when the two metal surfaces meet. Manyvariations of the contacts are possible including the use of male/femaleconnections and spring type contacts.

A shield (148) is disposed around the bottom portion of the cap (134)and is used to reduce the escape of electronic noise. Typically incomputer devices of this type, the inside of the housing of the computerdevice is shielded. Additionally, the area immediately surrounding theradio device such as a radio card may also be shielded. By shielding thecap (134), the integrity of the housing and radio shields are notbreached by the opening used to insert and remove the radio card. Theshield (148) is connected to the antenna ground contact (152) on the cap(134). A hole (159) in the shield (148) allows the signal contacts (151and 141) to engage without being grounded.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the cap (134) is shown embedded within whichare two antennas (160 and 162) designed to receive and transmitdifferent radio frequency signals. The first antenna (160) and thesecond antenna (162) are both connected to a common ground contact (167)which is connected to the shield and which engages the ground contact(177) on the radio card (170). The first antenna (160) is connected to afirst signal contact (165) and is disposed on the cap (134) to engage afirst signal contact (175) disposed on the radio card (170). Similarly,the second antenna (162) is connected to a second signal contact (166)and is disposed on the cap (134) to engage a second signal contact (176)disposed on the radio card (170). Thus the radio card (170) will use asignal via contact (175) or via contact (176) depending upon whichantenna it would like to use. Which antenna it would like to use isdependent upon the desired frequency upon which it want to transmit andreceive.

The radio card (170) as shown has three contacts (175, 176 and 177).However, if the radio transceiver in the radio card (170) is designedsuch that it would only be able to transmit and receive signals whichcorrespond to the first antenna (160), then it would not need to havecontact (176) and it could be left off. Similarly, if the radio card(170) were only going to use second antenna (162) then contact (175)could be omitted. Thus, standardizing contact position with respect toantenna type allows for flexibility in cap usage with various radiocards such that only appropriate antennas will be connected to the radiocard.

Referring to FIG. 22, two antennas (180 and 182) are embedded in the cap(134). In this embodiment built in accordance with the presentinvention, the two antennas (180 and 182) not only share a common groundcontact (186) which engages the ground contact (196) of the radio card(190), but they also share a common signal contact (185) which engagesthe signal contact (195) on the radio card (190). Thus, both antennasreceive and transmit signals using the same two contacts. Thisembodiment requires a radio card (190) which can filter the differentsignals and thus use the signal from the desired antenna while ignoringthe signals which arrive via the other antenna.

Referring to FIG. 23, a computer device (111) built in accordance withthe present invention is shown which is designed to implement an antennadiversity scheme. A first antenna (201) is embedded in the cap (120). Asecond antenna (202) is shown embedded in the band (122). As discussedin the embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, the two antennas (201 and 202)share a common ground contact (207). The first antenna (201) isconnected to a signal contact (205). Likewise, the second antenna (202)is connected to a signal contact (206). The hole (149) in the shield(148) which prevent the signal contacts (205 and 206) from grounding isshown in dashed lines.

The first antenna (201) is similar to the second antenna (202) and bothare designed to transmit and receive similar radio frequency signals.When the cap (120) is engaged in the opening of the housing (112), thefirst antenna (201) and the second antenna (202) will be perpendicularwith respect to each other. The quality of the signal received by thefirst antenna (201) and the quality of the signal received by the secondantenna (202) may be greatly different since the antennas are place atright angles with respect to each other. In the present embodiment, theradio card can check the quality of each signal and use the antennawhich is currently receiving the stronger signal. Additionally, it canswitch to the other antenna when the conditions change such that thesignal is no longer acceptable. Utilizing two similar antennas in thismatter, antenna diversification, can be very important in computerterminals of this type since they are often mobile and are oftensubjected to a rapidly changing environment. An antenna diversificationscheme of this type can be used to help eliminate the reception problemsassociated with signal multipath.

Referring now to FIG. 24, another embodiment of the present invention isshown with the first antenna (211) and the second antenna (212) attachedto the housing (112) of the computer terminal (111). As in theembodiment shown in FIG. 23, the first antenna (211) is similar to thesecond antenna (212) and both are designed to transmit and receivesimilar radio frequency signals and are perpendicular with respect toeach other such that an antenna diversity scheme can be implemented. Theantennas (211 and 212) are connected to the contacts (205, 206 and 207)through the cap (120) and though the band (112).

Referring to FIG. 26, the embodiment of FIG. 24 is shown with the onlydifferences being that the first antenna (221) and the second antenna(222) are positioned slightly differently and the antennas are designedto transmit and receive different radio frequency signals. Thus, theradio card uses the signal on contact (205) when it wants to receivesignals via the first antenna (221) and uses the signal on contact (206)when it wants to receive signal via the second antenna (222).

In FIGS. 23, 24 and 26, the portion of the connection between thecontacts (205, 206 and 207) and the antennas which pass through the band(112) are shown schematically as wires. In the best mode of the presentinvention, the transmission of the signal through the band (112) wouldbe accomplished through the use of a micro shield strip (230) as shownin FIG. 25. The micro shield strip consists of several conductiveribbons running the length of the band (112) and separated by thenon-conductive material of the band (112). A wide top ribbon (233) and awide bottom ribbon (234) are used to sandwich two smaller ribbons (236and 237). The smaller ribbons (236 and 237) are used to transmit theantenna signals and are connected to contacts (205 and 206)respectively. The wide bands (233 and 234) are common to each other andare used to ground each of the antennas and are connected to the groundcontact (207) on the cap (120). The wide ground ribbons (233 and 234)shield the smaller antenna signal ribbons (236 and 237) and help tomaintain the signal integrity. The impedance of the micro-shield stripis determined by relative spacing and dimensions of the strip as well asthe dielectric constant of the material of the band.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

1-47. (canceled)
 48. A spread spectrum cellular phone with a first antenna and a second antenna, comprising: radio circuitry configured to communicate in a particular cellular frequency band and in a second frequency band that is not the particular cellular frequency band, the radio circuitry supporting cellular phone communications and wireless local area network communications, the radio circuitry being operatively coupled to the first antenna and to the second antenna; and a processor operatively coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna, the processor being configured to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
 49. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the first antenna is adapted for use in the particular cellular frequency band, and wherein the second antenna is adapted for use in the second frequency band.
 50. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide spatial diversity.
 51. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide polarization diversity.
 52. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide antenna diversity.
 53. The cellular phone according to claim 48, comprising: a switch operatively coupled to the first antenna and to the second antenna, wherein the processor switches the switch to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
 54. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein radio circuitry is configured to perform frequency hopping.
 55. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the radio circuitry communicates in the particular cellular frequency band over at least the first antenna, and wherein the radio circuitry communicates in the second frequency band over at least the second antenna.
 56. The cellular phone according to claim 48, wherein the radio circuitry comprises one or more wireless local area network transceivers.
 57. The cellular phone according to claim 56, wherein the radio circuitry comprises one or more cellular phone transceivers.
 58. A spread spectrum cellular phone with a first antenna and a second antenna, comprising: radio circuitry configured to communicate in a first frequency band and in a second frequency band that is not the first frequency band, the first frequency band being a particular frequency band, the second frequency band being a wireless local area network communications frequency band, the radio circuitry being operatively coupled to the first antenna and to the second antenna; and a processor operatively coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna, the processor being configured to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
 59. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the first antenna is adapted for use in the particular cellular frequency band, and wherein the second antenna is adapted for use in the second frequency band.
 60. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide spatial diversity.
 61. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide polarization diversity.
 62. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna provide antenna diversity.
 63. The cellular phone according to claim 58, comprising: a switch operatively coupled to the first antenna and to the second antenna, wherein the processor switches the switch to select at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna.
 64. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein radio circuitry is configured to perform frequency hopping.
 65. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the radio circuitry communicates in the particular cellular frequency band over at least the first antenna, and wherein the radio circuitry communicates in the second frequency band over at least the second antenna.
 66. The cellular phone according to claim 58, wherein the radio circuitry comprises one or more wireless local area network transceivers.
 67. The cellular phone according to claim 66, wherein the radio circuitry comprises one or more cellular phone transceivers. 